Portable bridge section connection

ABSTRACT

A bridge system adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, which comprises two bridge sections adapted selectively from a transport position in which they are located one above the other to be moved into the bridging position in which said bridge sections are in longitudinal alignment with each other, and in which the lower chord means of the bridge sections are equipped with jaw clutches adapted vertically to be inserted into each other for interlocking said bridge sections in their bridging position, those head ends of the upper chords of said bridge sections which in bridging position of said bridge sections contact each other being provided with strip means for preventing vertical displacement of the bridge sections in bridging position thereof.

United States Patent [191 Wagner et al.

[ Aug. 28, 1973 PORTABLE BRIDGE SECTION CONNECTION {73] Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft, Koln-Deutz,

Germany 5 [22] Filed: Apr. 12, I971 [21] Appl. No.: 133,154

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 2,291,078 7/1942 Harris 14/27 UX 3,492,683 2/1970 Wagner et a1. 14/1 3,494,089 2/1970 Dickinson 52/726 X 3,504,389 4/1970 Longbottom 14/27 X 2,991,098 7/1961 Van Wersch 287/64 X 3,096,831 7/1963 Adams 287/103 X Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Walter Becker 5 7 ABSTRACT A bridge system adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, which comprises two bridge sections adapted selectively from a transport position in which they are located one above the other to be moved into the bridging position in which said bridge sections are in longitudinal alignment with each other, and in which the lower chord means of the bridge sections are equipped with jaw clutches adapted vertically to be inserted into each other for interlocking said bridge sections in their bridging position, those head ends of the upper chords of said bridge sections which in bridging position of said bridge sections contact each other being provided with strip means for preventing vertical displacement of the bridge sections in bridging position thereof.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,293

3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.2

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l l l l ll INVENTORS:

Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS FIG]

IN VE N T CR5. 6; 701-4 Waywa- By ,4 4/4 f/aze/ Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,293

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR-S:

6 r7ara Mr By 6494491 7 /420/ PORTABLE BRIDGE SECTION CONNECTION The present invention relates to bridge sections carried by a vehicle and adapted automatically to be connected to each other when to be used. With bridge sections of this type it is necessary that the coupling operation is simplified as much as possible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified coupling arrangement for bridge sections of the above mentioned type.

This object has been realized according to the present invention by providing the lower chords of the bridge sections with jaw clutches which are adapted vertically to be moved one into the other, while the interengaging head ends of the upper chords of the bridge sections are equipped with shearing or abutment strips.

The invention makes it possible to connect the bridge sections to each other in such a way that no manually operable or hydraulically or pneumatically operable elements have to be actuated.

It is of particular advantage to employ a dovetail design for the connecting surfaces of the jaw clutches. This brings about that the two pulling arms of the outer sections of the clutches will be relieved from lateral forces and the bending moments resulting therefrom. Consequently, according to the invention, the clutch sections have to transmit forces only in the pulling direction.

In order to facilitate the coupling operation of the clutch sections, it is suggested to design the parts of the clutch sections to be interconnected in the form of wedges.

The clutch sections are preferably parts which can be produced independently of each other and are later to be connected to the bridge sections. It is advantageous to connect those parts of the jaw clutches which are to be connected to each other, to the lower chords by means of bolts or the like.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates two interconnected bridge sections according to the invention, the dot-dash lines indicating the coupling operation for the two sections.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bridge sections of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the connecting areas of the two bridge sections and, more specifically, illustrates a view along the line Ill III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but seen in the direction along the line IV IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates on a larger scale than that of FIGS. 1-4 the connecting portion of the two bridge sections.

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line VI VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line VII VII of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a bridge laying vehicle in transporting position with an extendable beam and with the bridge sections arranged one above the other.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a bridge which comprises two bridge sections 1 and 2 arranged in a manner know per se one above the other on a vehicle for the transport of the bridge. When it is desired to install the bridge for use, the two bridge sections 1 and 2 are fully automatically interconnected. Each of the bridge sections I and 2 comprises two track sections T which are spaced from each other in parallel arrangement with regard to each other and are fixedly connected to each other by elements 3. In FIG. I, the dot-dash lines 4 indicate how the bridge section 2 is by hydraulic means provided on the vehicle pivoted toward the other bridge section 1 and coupled thereto.

The bridge sections 1 and 2 comprise a metal construction with upper chords 5 and lower chords 6. The upper and lower chords may be connected to each other by grate-like or solid wall elements. In order to effect a simple connection of the two bridge sections with each other, jaw clutches are arranged at the lower chords 6 of the bridge sections 1 and 2, said jaw clutches being adapted to be moved vertically into each other. The jaw clutches consist of two clutch elements 7 and 8 which are adapted to be interconnected and which are connected to the lower chords 6 by means of bolts 9. The clutch elements 7 and 8 are adapted vertically to be moved into each other. FIG. 1 shows that the clutch elements 7 which are connected to the bridge section 1 have already been moved into their horizontal position. The clutch elements 8 which are connected to the bridge section 2 will, as is evident from FIG. 1, during their pivoting movement be moved from above into the clutch elements 7. As will be seen from FIG. 7, the connecting surfaces 10 of the two clutch elements 7 and 8 are dovetailed. In addition thereto, as shown in FIG. 6, they are V-shaped so that the movement of the clutch elements 7 and 8 into each other will be facilitated. In their interengaged position, the connecting surfaces 10 of the two clutch elements 7 and 8 engage each other with a slight play 11.

The head ends 12 of the upper chords 5 which engage each other (FIG. 5) are provided with shearing or abutment strips 13 which interengage each other when one of the bridge sections is pivoted toward the other bridge section. The strips 13 of one of the bridge sections engage corresponding grooves of the other bridge section. Inasmuch as the strips 13 and grooves 14 extend horizontally, they bring about that the bridge sections 1 and 2 are definitely secured against any undesired vertical movement with regard to each other when they engage each other.

As will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, four lower chords are provided. Consequently there are also four jaw clutches provided. Since the strips I3 extend through the tracks of the bridge sections, two strips 13 and two grooves 14 are necessary.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show how the bridge sections 1 and 2 are mounted on a bridge laying device for the transport of the bridge, for instance, on a track laying vehicle I5.

In the bridge laying device according to FIGS. 8 and 9, a box-shaped beam 16 is above the track laying vehicle l5 pivotally operable by means of a hydraulic cylinder piston system 18 for a pivoting movement about a horizontal pivot 17. Within the beam 16 there are provided additional beam or girder parts 19, 20, 21 which are likewise of rectangular cross-section and which are adapted to be pulled out in a telescopic manner. The front girder part 19 is equipped with an arm 23 which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot 22. The bridge sections I and 2 which are of the same design are arranged one above the other upon the non-displaceable girder 16. In conformity with the bending stresses to which the bridge sections are subjected, the bridge sections have cross-sections which increase in height toward the connecting area thereof. The ends of the greatest and shortest height are located opposite to each other.

The coupling of the two bridge sections 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. 1 is effected in such a way that by telescopically moving apart the girder parts 19 to 21 by means of the upwardly directed arm 23, the upper bridge section 1 is first moved into its coupling position. At the end of this displacement movement, the arm 23 is pivoted forwardly so that the bridge section 1 will rest upon the rollers 24 provided on both sides on the girder part 19 while the rear end of the bridge section 1 is located in spaced relationship to and above the beam or girder.

During the forward movement of the upper bridge section 1, simultaneously the lower bridge section 2 is somewhat moved back toward the rear by means of two chains laterally arranged on the non-displaceable girder 16 so that the overall center of gravity of the bridge will remain located above the vehicle. The drive of the chains which is effected from the track laying vehicle, as well as the movement of the bridge section 2 on the non-displaceable girder 16 is not illustrated in the drawings. When the bridge sections 1 and 2 have reached the above described position, the bridge section 1 is, as shown in FIG. 1, by lifting the pivot arm 23 lowered from above into the clutch element 8 on the bridge section 2.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular showing in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, the coupling operation may also be effected in such a way that the bridge section 2 will be located in the upper position and after the coupling position has been reached, the bridge section 2 will from above be lowered into the clutch element 7 of the bridge section 1.

What we claim is:

1. A bridge system for stacked mounting on a transport vehicle, which includes a first bridge section and a second bridge section movable vertically toward each other for fully automatic interchangeable coupling connection therebetween; said bridge sections being adapted selectively to be placed into transporting position in which one bridge section is located above the other bridge section, and from said transporting position into bridging position in which said bridge sections are longitudinally aligned with each other; each of said bridge sections having upper chord means and lower chord means; jaw clutch means respectively arranged on those portions of said lower chord means of said bridge sections which in bridging position thereof are adjacent to each other, said jaw clutch means including head and socket mating portions vertically insertable one in the other for interlocking engagement to hold said bridge sections against relative longitudinal movement in said bridging position and with mating surfaces so formed that only instant prevailing forces in direction of travel path thereon can be transmitted thereby, the mating surfaces on the head portion converging upwardly and downwardly from the central engaging surfaces and the mating surfaces on the socket portion diverging upwardly and downwardly from the central engaging surfaces, thereby providing spaces above and below said central engaging surfaces when engaged for transmission of forces in the direction of travel so that said portions and bridge sections are angularly movable slightly about a horizontal axis, and longitudinally engageable projecting and recessed means associated with those portions of said upper chord means which in bridging position of said bridge sections are adjacent to each other for preventing relative vertical sliding movement of said bridge sections in bridging position thereof and maintaining said head and socket elements in engagement, so that only forces at right angles to travel path thereon can be transmitted thereby.

2. A bridge system according to claim 1, which includes bolt means pivotally connecting the interengaging clutch portions of said jaw clutch means to the pertaining lower chord means.

3. A bridge system according to claim 1, which includes telescopic supporting means for longitudinally movably supporting said bridge sections, said telescopic supporting means being operable selectively to place said bridge sections selectively into superimposed position and from the latter into position for axial alignment with each other. 

1. A bridge system for stacked mounting on a transport vehicle, which includes a first bridge section and a second bridge section movable vertically toward each other for fully automatic interchangeable coupling connection therebetween; said bridge sections being adapted selectively to be placed into transporting position in which one bridge section is located above the other bridge section, and from said transporting position into bridging position in which said bridge sections are longitudinally aligned with each other; each of said bridge sections having upper chord means and lower chord means; jaw clutch means respectively arranged on those portions of said lower chord means of said bridge sections which in bridging position thereof are adjacent to each other, said jaw clutch means including head and socket mating portions vertically insertable one in the other for interlocking engagement to hold said bridge sections against relative longitudinal movement in said bridging position and with mating surfaces so formed that only instant prevailing forces in direction of travel path thereon can be transmitted thereby, the mating surfaces on the head portion converging upwardly and downwardly from the central engaging surfaces and the mating surfaces on the socket portion diverging upwardly and downwardly from the central engaging surfaces, thereby providing spaces above and below said central engaging surfaces when engaged for transmission of forces in the direction of travel so that said portions and bridge sections are angularly movable slightly about a horizontal axis, and longitudinally engageable projecting and recessed means associated with those portions of said upper chord means which in Bridging position of said bridge sections are adjacent to each other for preventing relative vertical sliding movement of said bridge sections in bridging position thereof and maintaining said head and socket elements in engagement, so that only forces at right angles to travel path thereon can be transmitted thereby.
 2. A bridge system according to claim 1, which includes bolt means pivotally connecting the interengaging clutch portions of said jaw clutch means to the pertaining lower chord means.
 3. A bridge system according to claim 1, which includes telescopic supporting means for longitudinally movably supporting said bridge sections, said telescopic supporting means being operable selectively to place said bridge sections selectively into superimposed position and from the latter into position for axial alignment with each other. 